IN A tale of two fullbacks, St George Illawarra have lost Jason Nightingale to a quadriceps injury before tonight's Sydney Football Stadium clash with the Sydney Roosters , whose own custodian, Anthony Minichiello, has been passed fit to make his long-awaited return from serious back problems.
Nightingale was ruled out yesterday, with Brett Morris to take his place, while Minichiello is not considered to be in any doubt for his comeback match.
The Roosters could welcome back another representative player to their squad, with Shaun Kenny-Dowall rated a 50-50 prospect to return, most likely at the expense of Brent Grose.
Newcastle coach Brian Smith is set to rush back-rower Zeb Taia back into his squad for the clash with Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium tonight following a knee injury that initially looked to have ended his season. Danny Wicks has dropped out of the squad.
Brisbane are expected to be as named.
Manly coach Des Hasler is optimistic centre Jamie Lyon will return from a knee injury, a handy replacement for the suspended Steve Matai. Lyon trained with his teammates for the first time yesterday and will be put through tackling drills today. Hasler said Lyon would play five-eighth if he is passed fit, with either Steve Menzies or Shane Neumann the options for centre against the Panthers.
"Jamie looks terrific," Hasler said. "He's very optimistic about playing and I expect him to."
Penrith are expected to be as per program. "Everyone's right to go, I think," coach Matt Elliott said. "The only question is Luke Priddis [shoulder], but I think he's going to be fine."
Parramatta coach Michael Hagan said he expected his squad to be "1-17" against the Warriors, although Feleti Mateo has been struggling with various ailments this week.
"Feleti had a couple of things he needed to get treated - a couple are in that group - but the physio has told me they should be OK to play," Hagan said.
Warriors coach Ivan Cleary has added Epalahame Lauaki and Grant Rovelli to his squad, which will leave for Sydney this afternoon. Fullback Wade McKinnon was officially scrubbed out yesterday after being suspended for three matches for spitting at a match official.
Bryan Norrie, named as 18th man for Cronulla , remains a chance of playing against North Queensland, especially given Adam Peek has been struggling with a thigh injury all week.
The Cowboys are expected to be as named.
Nick Kouparitsas is out of the Bulldogs side through suspension, and the wooden spoon favourites also have injury problems, with Chris Armit (ribs) and Lee Te Maari (virus) in doubt.
"We've got a few balls in the air at the moment," coach Steve Folkes said.
Reece Blayney, Daryl Millard, Fred Briggs and Danny Williams, none of whom were named in the side on Tuesday, are all in the frame to play.
Canberra are expected to be unchanged, with Cy Lasscock and Ben Jones dropping out.
With the Wests Tigers out of the finals race, coach Tim Sheens is expected to send interchange prop Daine Laurie back to the NSW Cup, giving him the chance to play in the finals with Western Suburbs. Sheens has not named a replacement as yet for the Tigers' encounter with the Titans.
Gold Coast prop Luke Bailey will have a final test on his injured ankle tomorrow but is expected to make his return following a 10-week lay-off.
Melbourne and South Sydney are both expected to be as named for their Sunday night clash.
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